Planning your journey
When to travel?
It is recommended to travel the Canning Stock Route (CSR) from May-September. Travelling outside this time frame is not recommended due to extreme heat and possible wet and boggy conditions. Travelling outside the travel season will mean that you are more isolated in this unforgiving terrain with assistance or recovery more difficult to coordinate.
If a large amount of rain has been forecast, it is advisable to postpone the journey due to boggy conditions. Driving through some areas at these times can cause significant damage to the track. It is strongly advised that you check with the local authorities on road closures and road conditions before you set out on your journey.
Between the months of April-September, visitors to the CSR can expect to see fires lit by Indigenous rangers teams. These prescribed, small scale cool season burns are an important part of landscape management that reduce the risks associated with hot summer wildfires and protect cultural sites, communities and critical ecological systems.
Where will you begin and end your journey?
The main access tracks to enter and exit the Canning Stock Route (CSR) are through the following stations or roads:
Wiluna (Well 1)
Granite Peak Station (access at Well 5)
Glen-Ayle Station (access at Well 9)
Talawana Track (access at Well 23)
Kidson Track / Wapet Road (access at Well 33)
Tanami Road (access at Billiluna above Well 51)
DISTANCES
When planning your route it is useful to calculate distances for each day to determine how long your journey will take and supplies needed. The entire CSR is 1,900kms, however, if you visit each well or plan to double back on occasions you will exceed this distance.
The ExplorOz website is a useful resource which provides distances between wells and average time taken. Ensure when planning your schedule to allow extra days in case of unforeseen delay such as wet weather or breakdown. This can lead to enforced waits at campsites or along the track for a couple of days or more.
Resources
Preparation is important to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable journey on the Canning Stock Route (CSR). There are numerous books available which can assist you in your planning process. The following are just a few suggested by the Australian National 4WD Council:
Travelling in Outback Australia | George Cottee
4 Wheel Drive: Going Bush | Gregory’s
Gregory’s 4WD Escapes 2 | Jan Snelling and John Tait
Explore Australia by Four Wheel Drive | Peter and Kim Wherret
Canning Stock Route: A Traveller’s Guide | Ronele & Eric Gard
